MCS Hydraulics UK and PTS sign Scotland distribution agreement

02 January, 2018

MCS Hydraulics UK Ltd., the designer and manufacturer of stainless steel couplings for flexible hoses based in Dudley in the West Midlands, has signed a distribution agreement with PTS (Pressure Test Solutions Ltd.), based in Aberdeen. The new agreement gives PTS exclusive distribution rights throughout Scotland for MCS’s complete range of 316 stainless steel fittings, adaptors, Din 2353 compression fittings, mild steel fittings, mild steel adaptors, also hydraulic, PTFE & thermoplastic hose. As part of the agreement, PTS holds an extensive stock of MCS products ready for despatch. MCS is the sole UK distributor for FB Hydraulics, which manufactures the mild steel fittings. PTS will also be purchasing these items.

PTS is an established service company based in Aberdeen engaged in the rental, sales and calibration of specialist equipment to the offshore industry. The company is recognised for concentrating on four key niche specialist areas: pressure test equipment & instrumentation rental; hazardous area equipment & ATEX communication rental; flushing units and hose reels; and supply of hydraulic & pneumatic products & hammer unions.

Gary Notman, PTS’s managing director, commented: “As a successful pressure testing and rental business based in Aberdeen, we have for some time been looking at establishing hydraulic hose & fittings and assemblies as an additional feature within the business. A large number of our customers request this service from competitors, so it made sense for us to offer the same type of service within our equipment and service portfolio.”

Excellent timing

“Through doing research online, I made contact with MCS Hydraulics UK’s managing director, Mick Emery, who was looking for a Scottish distributor – so this proved to be excellent timing for both companies.”

The full MCS product range that will be represented by PTS in Scotland includes crimping fittings (standard, interlock, reusable, and pre-crimp), compression fittings and an extensive range of adapters.

Notman continued: “Offshore oil and gas accounts for approximately 90% of our business at the moment, and this will be our initial target market through our existing customer base in Aberdeen. However, with hose and fittings now a firm part of our offering, this opens up to other potential industrial and mobile markets for us; including agriculture and domestic.”

PTS has employed three new members of staff within its main headquarters in Aberdeen to head up the new distribution arrangement. It has also taken on additional premises dedicated to stocking hydraulic hose and fittings. The new unit is only two units’ distance from the company’s existing premises. The recently acquired unit is similar in size to PTS’s main site;

approximately 5000 sq ft. “Because of the synergy between our current pressure testing and instrumentation business, and the new hose and fittings business, I am convinced that the whole operation will work very well together,” said Notman.

Perfect fit

Mick Emery MCS Hydraulics UK’s managing director, said of the new agreement: “As soon as I began discussions with Gary I knew that what PTS could offer in terms of distribution and stock holding was going to be the perfect fit for us. I therefore invited Gary to our Birmingham site to talk in depth about how to progress the arrangement. Following the meeting, it was clear that there was a very good synergy between the size of our businesses and our growth plans. Indeed, both PTS and ourselves have received positive feedback from our customer base since the agreement was announced.”